Warning!

Please keep in mind that cannabis may help you numb the pain but it cannot heal injuries.

Untreated injuries can lead to more severe ones and can even develop into chronic pain, which can be very difficult to manage even with cannabis. Sometimes it’s better to just skip a day at the gym and rest.

Cannabis may protect the brain from injuries

In contact sports (boxing, hockey, football and the like) athletes are prone to head injuries like concussions.

If it’s a minor injury, it usually heals within a week or two.

However, severe concussions take longer to heal and can produce a range of symptoms.

When you suffer a blow to the skull, your brain starts swelling, which damages the brain cells and alters brain functioning.

Cannabinoids, like CBD, have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce the swelling in the brain. (2)

According to a 3-year UCLA retrospective study, the death rate among concussion patients who’ve had THC in their system at the time of their accident is much lower than the ones that didn’t have THC in them. (3)

Warning!

Be aware of how cannabis impacts you and the type of activity you are engaging in. If your sport requires fast reflexes, it’s better to smoke weed after and not before. You don’t want to end up with a brain injury because of cannabis-induced motor skill impairment.

Cannabis may boost metabolism

Although cannabis users consume up to 600 more calories per day than non-users, that extra fuel doesn’t have to necessarily turn into fat. (4)

So how do so many seasoned cannabis users have tiny waists with next to no body fat?

Well, according to a 2016 study, marijuana users tend to have a better carbohydrate metabolism and are, in general, less obese than non-consumers. They also have lower fasting insulin levels and have a better insulin response. (5)

Although we still lack proper scientific research, early studies show that “prevalence of obesity is lower in cannabis users than in nonusers”. (6)

Cannabis may boost your focus (especially CBD)

Cannabis can be good when you need to focus on repetitive tasks, which is why so many recreational runners enjoy running while high. They argue that taking a few puffs before heading out for a long-distance run can make the run itself more enjoyable.

Can you just imagine running by the lake and being even more aware of the nature surrounding you? That kind of bliss can most likely aid your performance and make you run more than you’ve planned to.

Because pot helps you get into the zone, it’s a much-appreciated supplement among those who like to meditate and do yoga.

But please remember, if you want to get the focus you need, it’s all about choosing the right strain. Some strains could make you lazy and induce the couch-lock effect. But if you find the right sativa, with the right ratio of CBD to THC, you just might get the effect you’re looking for.

Warning!

Although cannabis can be good for repetitive activities, studies have shown that THC slightly decreases reaction time and impairs motor skills. (7) Sports that require quick reflexes should be performed completely clear-headed and not under the influence of high-THC cannabis products.

Cannabis may soothe sore muscles

You recently started working out and your first workout left you so sore that you wish you never went into the gym in the first place.

Luckily for you, CBD (cannabidiol) is proven to relieve inflammation in the body. Consuming a high-CBD product after your workout will make the soreness go away much faster. Also, by taking a dose of CBD before your activity you’ll avoid the soreness and pain in the first place.

Bonus tip: Runner’s high (get high without getting high on weed)

Weed and physical activities have much more in common than you think. And believe it or not, you can get high without smoking weed.

The phenomenon known as the “runner’s high” is the reason why many long-distance runners are in love with this activity. However, you can’t get it after two miles. No, for this high you have to work.

The first time I felt it was when I ran my first half marathon. When I reached the finish line, I had this rush of euphoria, motivation, and incredible satisfaction. It felt like I could keep on running forever.

After I’ve reached the finish line, I felt like I was high. And it was awesome.

I was not really sure what I was feeling, but this “high” triggered my curiosity and that’s when I found out about runner’s high.

Researchers from the University of Heidelberg found that the endocannabinoid system plays a major role in producing this effect. After running, our bodies produce chemicals called endocannabinoids — substances similar to cannabinoids found in marijuana. (8)

These endocannabinoids bind to the same receptors as chemicals found in marijuana, which helps explain why there are so many people obsessed with running and why so many runners love to smoke weed after a long run.

Summary

The most important thing to remember is to put safety first, at all times.

If you are a recreational athlete and are allowed to consume cannabis, make sure you take all concerns into account before getting high and working out. Let your local budtender help you choose the right strain that will keep you motivated and focused.

References

Manzanares J, Julian MD, Carrascosa A; Role of the Cannabinoid System in Pain Control and Therapeutic Implications for the Management of Acute and Chronic Pain Episodes; Current Neuropharmacology; July 2006; 4(3):239–257

Fuss J, Steinle J, Bindila L, Auer MK, Kirchherr H, Lutz B, Gass P; A runner’s high depends on cannabinoid receptors in mice; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; October 2015; 112(42):13105-8

Wow this article was amazing. Thank you so much for spreading truth and positivity about cannabis, there are not many of us out there. I am a cannabis advocate developing a platform with my team to change the negative stigma that cannabis currently carries. We too are spreading truth and positivity about cannabis. We go on IG Live every other week with professionals and share truth and knowledge with our audience. This last Live that we did, we had a Professional Life and fitness coach who is filled with knowledge; furthermore, this article helped me prepare for our IG Live. Thank you for that. Also, if you are curios about this live give me a follow @bd.rich